Surface texture analysis based upon the visually acquired perturbation of surface normals

A novel technique has been developed for the textural analysis of Lambertian surfaces while in the presence of a variable albedo. The method has direct application for the surface quality determination of cosmetically sensitive components, and has particular application where more traditional methods may prove unsatisfactory. A photometric stereo technique is used to facilitate the isolation of localised irregular features, such as scratching, indentations or small protrusions, which may be obscured by a coincident, regular or random surface albedo. A generic lighting arrangement is employed, which obviates the need for a customised lighting configuration. This represents a significant advantage for the configuration of industrial vision-based inspection systems. Promising experimental results have been obtained using example components, and are presented in the paper.     

Passivity and disturbance attenuation via output feedback foruncertain nonlinear systems

The authors address the problem of disturbance attenuation with internal stability via output feedback for a class of passive systems with uncertainties. The problem is approached by means of adaptive output feedback control which does not require any state observer. The results obtained extend an earlier result of Steinberg and Corless (1985). Sufficient conditions are proposed under which a nonlinear system can be made locally or globally passive via output feedback     

Goal-driven automation of a deep space communications station: a case study in knowledge engineering for plan generation and execution

Abstract: This paper describes the application of Artificial Intelligence techniques for plan generation, plan execution, and plan monitoring to automate a Deep Space Communication Station. This automation allows a communication station to respond to a set of tracking goals by appropriately reconfiguring the communications hardware and software to provide the requested communications services. In particular this paper describes: (1) the overall automation architecture, (2) the plan generation and execution monitoring AI technologies used and implemented software components, and (3) the knowledge engineering process and effort required for automation. This automation was demonstrated in February 1995, at the DSS13 Antenna Station in Goldstone, CA on a series of Voyager tracks and the technologies demonstrated are being transferred to the operational Deep Space Network stations.     

Finite-tree analysis for constraint logic-based languages

Logic languages based on the theory of rational, possibly infinite, trees have much appeal in that rational trees allow for faster unification (due to the safe omission of the occurs-check) and increased expressivity (cyclic terms can provide very efficient representations of grammars and other useful objects). Unfortunately, the use of infinite rational trees has problems. For instance, many of the built-in and library predicates are ill-defined for such trees and need to be supplemented by run-time checks whose cost may be significant. Moreover, some widely used program analysis and manipulation techniques are correct only for those parts of programs working over finite trees. It is thus important to obtain, automatically, a knowledge of the program variables (the finite variables) that, at the program points of interest, will always be bound to finite terms. For these reasons, we propose here a new data-flow analysis, based on abstract interpretation, that captures such information. We present a parametric domain where a simple component for recording finite variables is coupled, in the style of the open product construction of Cortesi et al., with a generic domain (the parameter of the construction) providing sharing information. The sharing domain is abstractly specified so as to guarantee the correctness of the combined domain and the generality of the approach. This finite-tree analysis domain is further enhanced by coupling it with a domain of Boolean functions, called finite-tree dependencies, that precisely captures how the finiteness of some variables influences the finiteness of other variables. We also summarize our experimental results showing how finite-tree analysis, enhanced with finite-tree dependencies, is a practical means of obtaining precise finiteness information.     

Influence of alumina content on the nucleation crystallization and microstructure of barium fluorphlogopite glass-ceramics based on 8SiO2·YAl2O34MgO2MgF2BaO Part I Nucleation and crystallization behaviour

The effect of varying the aluminium oxide content on the nucleation and crystallization behaviour of barium containing glasses based on 8SiO₂·YAl₂O₃4MgO2MgF₂BaO was investigated in order to develop novel, high strength, machinable glass-ceramics. Nine glasses were synthesized and characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) Combined Differential Thermal Analysis Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (DTA/TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and dilatometry. The glass transition temperature (T _g) and first peak crystallization temperature (Tp1) reduced with reducing alumina content. Glasses with Y > 1.5 exhibited a second peak crystallization temperature (Tp2). Tp1 was shown to correspond to the crystallization of barium fluorphlogopite (BaSi₆Al₂Mg₆F₂O₁₉) and Tp2 to the crystallization of cordierite (Mg₂Al₂Si₅O₁₈). The thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) was insensitive to alumina content. All the glasses exhibited an optimum nucleation temperature just above T _g, which was thought to be a result of amorphous phase separation (APS). DTA/TGA showed the glasses to undergo weight loss corresponding to silicon tetrafluoride volatilization from the surface, which resulted in a fluorphlogopite deficient surface layer.     

Cognitive Trauma Therapy for Battered Women With PTSD (CTT-BW).

This article describes a second treatment-outcome study of cognitive trauma therapy for battered women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; CTT-BW). CTT-BW includes trauma history exploration: PTSD education; stress management; exposure to abuse and abuser reminders; self-monitoring of negative self-talk; cognitive therapy for guilt; and modules on self-advocacy, assertiveness, and how to identify perpetrators. One hundred twenty-five ethnically diverse women were randomly assigned to immediate or delayed CTT-BW. PTSD remitted in 87% of women who completed CTT-BW, with large reductions in depression and guilt and substantial increases in self-esteem. White and ethnic minority women benefited equally from CTT-BW. Similar treatment outcomes were obtained by male and female therapists and by therapists with different levels of education and training. Gains were maintained at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Physical and Sexual Intimate Partner Violence Among Women in Methadone Maintenance Treatment.

Although several studies have examined the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) and drug use among women in drug treatment programs, more information is needed to delineate differences, as a function of the specific drug used. Data from a random sample of 416 women attending methadone programs were analyzed to elucidate the differential associations between IPV and use of the following: marijuana only, cocaine only, heroin only, or cocaine and heroin. Prevalence of IPV among this sample far exceeded estimates from the general population. After adjusting for sociodemographic variables, use of cocaine only was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing IPV compared with no drug use. Similar results were found for women using both cocaine and heroin. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version in Offenders With Axis I Disorders.

One hundred forty-nine inpatients within a maximum security psychiatric facility were assessed with the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV; S. D. Hart, D. N. Cox, & R. D. Hare, 1995). Within the total sample, 68% had a psychotic disorder and 30% met criteria for psychopathy. Using confirmatory factor analysis, the authors tested the 2-factor PCL:SV model of psychopathy and recent 3- and 4-factor models. Results indicated good fit for each model, with the 4-factor model showing best overall fit. Structural equation modeling was used to determine which psychopathy factors predicted 6-month follow-up of inpatient aggression. The 2-, 3-, and 4-factor models, respectively, accounted for 16%.27%. and 3l% of the variance in aggression. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Layout and results from the initial operation of the high-resolution x-ray imaging crystal spectrometer on the Large Helical Device

First results of ion and electron temperature profile measurements from the x-ray imaging crystal spectrometer (XICS) diagnostic on the Large Helical Device (LHD) are presented. This diagnostic system has been operational since the beginning of the 2011 LHD experimental campaign and is the first application of the XICS diagnostic technique to helical plasma geometry. The XICS diagnostic provides measurements of ion and electron temperature profiles in LHD with a spatial resolution of 2 cm and a maximum time resolution of 5 ms (typically 20 ms). Ion temperature profiles from the XICS diagnostic are possible under conditions where charge exchange recombination spectroscopy (CXRS) is not possible (high density) or is perturbative to the plasma (low density or radio frequency heated plasmas). Measurements are made by using a spherically bent crystal to provide a spectrally resolved 1D image of the plasma from line integrated emission of helium-like Ar(16 +). The final hardware design and configuration are detailed along with the calibration procedures. Line-integrated ion and electron temperature measurements are presented, and the measurement accuracy is discussed. Finally central temperature measurements from the XICS system are compared to measurements from the Thomson scattering and CXRS systems, showing excellent agreement.